Foam distributing apparatus



Sept. 6, 1932. o. D. KING 1,876,425

FOAM DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 9, 1951 Fig. 1

By his Attorneym u Patented Sept. 6, 1932 .STATS ORVILLE DOERING KING, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FOAM DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS' Application filed February 9,1931. Serial No. 514,525.

This invention relates to the extinguishing of 011 fires and similar fires, .partlcularly of fires in oil tanks or reservoirs by means of a smothering blanket of foam, formed by the mixing of suitable solutions.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for the mixing of the solutions and the forming and spreading of the foam on the surface of the oil. More particularly, it is the object of this invention to provide a distributing means for the foam so that the distance from the foam outlet to the surface of the oil is as short as possible.

In recent years it has become the practice to extinguish oil fires by means of flre extinguishing foam. This foam is spread upon the surface of the oil and owing to its nature the air is excluded from the oil and the fire is effectively blanketed. The foam is generated by the intermixlng of two or more chemical solutions.

It is the general practice to do this mixing in a chamber attached to the top of the oil tank and to discharge the foam formed in this chamber onto the surface of the oil inside the tank. If the level of oil in the tank is low, the foam will fall considerable distance before reaching the surface of the burning oil. During this time the foam is directly exposed to the heat and flames from the burning oil it is desired to extinguish. Consequently, much of the foam is dissipated by this exposure.

In my apparatus this serious disadvantage is avoided.

The various objects and features of my invention will be better and more fully understood from the following detailed description it of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to accompanying drawing, of which Fig. 1 shows an elevation of an installation of my invention as applied to an oil tank.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the top portion of the apparatus.

The gasoline or other inflammable liquid is stored in a tank (1), only part of which is shown. Installed in this tank is a stand ported by heavy bracing.

pipe (2) which extends from the bottom of tank almost to the tank roof. Thisstand pipe is closed at its lower end and'is sup- Connected to this pipe (2-) near its lower end is attached at right anglesa mixing chamber (3) with a closed end (4). N ear to the closed end (4;) are connected two pipes (5) and The top end of the pipe (2) is fitted with a cover (7), to which is attached an asbestos bellows The lower end of this bellows is fastened to a metal canopy (9), which in turn is attached to a float (10) by means of metal supports (11). The float is mounted concentric with the stand pipe 2) but is free to slide thereon.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows Chemical solutions are discharged from the pipes (5) and (6) into the mixing chamher (3). In this chamber the two solutions are intimately mixed and by the resulting chemical action a foam is formed. This foam rises inside the stand pipe (2) and overflows through the outlets (12) at the top of the pipe. The foam travels down the inside of the asbestos bellows and is discharged from under the metal canopy (9) onto the float (10) and spreads over the surface of the oil.

By the use of my apparatus the foam is always discharged near the surface of the burning oil. The float (10) being attached only to the asbestos bellows, sliding freely on the standpipe (2) and being concentric therewith, readily rises and falls with the change of level of the oil in the tank.

In the foregoing description I have illustrated a preferred form of the invention. It should be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular form of apparatus shown or the material used. It should further be understood that my apparatus is not limited to use for oil tanks but may be used in conjunction with any container of inflammable liquid.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for extinguishing fires in tanks containing inflammable liquid, substantially as described, the combination of a V mixing chamber, a standpipe connected thereto, flexible tubular means concentric with the standpipe and connected to its upper end, and means for discharging foam near thesurface of the inflammable liquid.

2. in an apparatus for extinguishing fires in oiltanlzs, substantially as described, the combination of a mixing chamber, a standpipe connected thereto, extensible tubular means attached to the upper end of the standpipe and concentric therewith and discharge means supported by a float attached to the lower end of said extensile tubular means.

3. An apparatus as described and for the purpose set forth in claim 2 wherein said float is concentric with said standpipe.

a. In an apparatus for extinguishing fires in oil tanks, the combination of a mixing; chamber, a standpipe connected thereto, a float, and bellows-like means concentric with the standpipe for conducting the foam from the top of the standpipe to the surface of the float.

5. In an apparatus for extinguishing fires in oil tanks, the combination of a mixing chamber, a standpipe connected thereto, a float concentric with said standpipe, and bellows-like means for conducting the foamfrom the top of the standpipe to the surface of the float.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

onviLLn nonnine KING. 

